Cape Town

Often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is one of the most popular South African destinations. Cape Town was home to many leaders of the anti-apartheid movement, despite many of the group's leaders' internment on Robben Island, a penitentiary island where many famous political prisoners were held for many years. One of the most famous moments marking the end of apartheid occurred in Cape Town, when Nelson Mandela made his first public speech in decades hours after being released.

The following Shore Excursions are available for this port on this cruise, and may be reserved beginning 180 days before the cruise begins.

Robben Island
Tour Code: CPT-026
Duration: 5 hours
Retail Value: $99.00
Price: Free

For over four centuries, Robben Island has been a place of punishment for exiles and prisoners as well as a place of confinement for lepers, lunatics and the sick. Since 1960, it has become synonymous with the political struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Political prisoners of the past have included Nelson Mandela and poet Dennis Brutus. The last political prisoners were released in 1991 and on January 1, 1997, the Robben Island Museum opened its doors to the public, with quite a number of the former political prisoners becoming island guides. In 1999, Robben Island was declared a Word Heritage Site.

Upon arrival at Roben Island, you will board a bus for a 45-minute orientation drive. Along the way, you will see the old leper colony, a Muslim shrine and a shipwreck before visiting the limestone quarry where political prisoners performed backbreaking labor. Afterward, a former political prisoner will lead you on a guided walking tour through the maximum-security block. A visit to Nelson Mandela's former cell is also included.

After your approximately 2.5-hour visit to the island, you will embark the ferry for the return ride to the mainland and return to the pier on-foot.

Please note: This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties as it involves quite a substantial amount of walking. Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended. The ferry-ride is approximately 30 minutes in each direction. The ferry is strictly weather permitting. Robben Island is a protected conservation area.

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Terms & Conditions:

Free Unlimited Shore Excursions are for full fare guests only, capacity controlled and subject to availability. Requested excursions may not be available at time of booking. Supplement will apply on Regent Choice excursions (indicated by the above) and excludes Private Arrangements and all Adventures Ashore programs. In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with passenger counts at least 36 hours in advance. Therefore no refunds will be given within 36 hours of tour departure for cancellations or no-shows. Please pay special attention to scheduling and tour lengths when booking your shore excursions. In many cases, it is not possible to participate in more than one tour per day in a given port. Tours operate rain or shine. Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible. Tours may be cancelled if minimum participation levels are not met. Prices, Itineraries and General Information shore excursion prices are subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases or currency fluctuations. Please consult the Destination Services Desk onboard for information. During local or national holidays, access to certain facilities (such as museums or archaeological sites) may be limited or denied. In such instances, adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience to guests. Some tours have limited availability. Tours are generally available for reserving 180 days prior to the beginning of a cruise. Please sign up early to avoid disappointment. Regent Seven Seas Cruises reserves the right to require guests to complete a liability waiver for select shore excursions. For more information, please visit the Destination Services Desk onboard.